Effects of mannan-oligosaccharide supplementation on gut health, immunity, and production performance of broilers / Efeitos da suplementação de mananoligossacarídeo na saúde do intestino, imunidade e desempenho da produção de frangos

The study was designed to investigate the effect of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation on intestinal histomorphology, immunity against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and productive parameters of broilers. A total of 1800, day old broiler chicks of Cobb-500 strain were selected and randomly assorted into 6 treatment groups: T1 (basal diet without antibiotics as negative control); T2 (basal diet plus antibiotics as positive control group); T3 (basal diet plus 200g/ton MOS); T4 (basal diet plus 400g/ton MOS); T5 (basal diet plus 600g/ton MOS) and T6 (basal diet plus 800g/ton MOS). Each treatment was having 6 replicates and the feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded on weekly basis. Results showed that, MOS supplemented birds have significantly higher feed intake, weight gain and FCR (P < 0.05). Similarly, supplementation of MOS showed positive effect on villus height and crypt depth both in jejunum and ilium. Goblet cell density was unaffected by MOS addition (P < 0.05). Furthermore, birds fed with diets containing MOS, exhibited better productive performance in comparison to positive and negative control groups. In conclusion, MOS can replace antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) as non-microbial performance-enhancing feed advocates.

O estudo foi desenhado para investigar o efeito da suplementação de mananoligossacarídeo (MOS) na histomorfologia intestinal, imunidade contra o vírus da doença de Newcastle (NDV) e parâmetros produtivos de frangos de corte. Um total de 1.800 pintos de corte de um dia da linhagem Cobb-500 foram selecionados e distribuídos aleatoriamente em 6 grupos de tratamento: T1 (dieta basal sem antibióticos como controle negativo); T2 (dieta basal mais antibióticos como grupo controle positivo); T3 (dieta basal mais 200g/ton MOS); T4 (dieta basal mais 400g/ton MOS); T5 (dieta basal mais 600g/ton MOS) e T6 (dieta basal mais 800g/ton MOS). Cada tratamento tinha 6 repetições e o consumo de ração, ganho de peso corporal e conversão alimentar foram registrados semanalmente. Os resultados mostraram que as aves suplementadas com MOS apresentam consumo de ração, ganho de peso e CA significativamente maiores (P < 0,05). Da mesma forma, a suplementação de MOS mostrou efeito positivo na altura das vilosidades e na profundidade das criptas tanto no jejuno quanto no íleo. A densidade de células caliciformes não foi afetada pela adição de MOS (P < 0,05). Além disso, as aves alimentadas com dietas contendo MOS apresentaram melhor desempenho produtivo em comparação aos grupos controle positivo e negativo. Em conclusão, o MOS pode substituir os promotores de crescimento de antibióticos (AGPs) como defensores de alimentos não microbianos que melhoram o desempenho.

Effects of Lactobacillus fermentum Administration on Intestinal Morphometry and Antibody Serum Levels in Salmonella-Infantis-Challenged Chickens.

There are no studies reporting the effects of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis (S. Infantis) on intestinal architecture and immunoglobulin serum levels in chickens. Here, we measured these parameters and hypothesized whether probiotic administration could modulate the observed outcomes. Two-hundred 1-day-old COBB 500 male chicks were allocated into four groups: (I) the control, (II) the group treated with L. fermentum, (III) the group exposed to S. Infantis, and (IV) the group inoculated with both bacteria. At 11 days post infection, blood was gathered from animals which were then euthanized, and samples from the small intestine were collected. Intestinal conditions, as well as IgA and IgM serum levels, were assessed. S. Infantis reduced villus-height-to-crypt-depth (VH:CD) ratios in duodenal, jejunal, and ileal sections compared to control conditions, although no differences were found regarding the number of goblet cells, muc-2 expression, and immunoglobulin concentration. L. fermentum improved intestinal measurements compared to the control; this effect was also evidenced in birds infected with S. Infantis. IgM serum levels augmented in response to the probiotic in infected animals. Certainly, the application of L. fermentum elicited positive outcomes in S. Infantis-challenged chickens and thus must be considered for developing novel treatments designed to reduce unwanted infections.

Dietary supplementation of Agaricus bisporus stalk meal on growth performance, carcass and organ traits, meat quality, cecum mesophilic aerobic bacteria counts and intestinal histology in broiler chickens / Efeitos da suplementação dietética de farelo de caule de Agaricus bisporus no desempenho de crescimento, características de carcaça e órgãos, qualidade da carne, contagem de bactérias aeróbias mesófilas cecais e histologia intestinal em frangos de corte

Effects of dietary Agaricus bisporus mixture or stalk or cap on growth performance, carcass components and some meat quality parameters, mesophilic aerobic bacterial counts, and intestinal histomorphology in broiler chickens were investigated. Two hundred and forty one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided into 4 experimental groups with 4 replicates, each including 15 birds. Chickens were fed with basal diet (C), mushroom mixture (MM, 10 g stalk+10 g cap/kg diet), mushroom stalk (MS, 20 g/kg diet) and mushroom cap (MC, 20 g/kg diet). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved (P < 0.01) by dietary MS while feed intake (FI) decreased (P < 0.01) in all treatment groups compared to control. However, body weight gain (BWG) was decreased (P < 0.01) by MC inclusion. Mushroom supplemented groups had higher (P < 0.05) mesophilic aerobic bacteria in the cecum. MS inclusion increased villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum (P < 0.01) and villus height in the ileum (P < 0.01) and jejunum (P < 0.05). MC increased (P < 0.01) crypt depth in the jejunum. There were no statistical differences among groups for carcass components (P > 0.05). The L* values were decreased (P < 0.01) in thigh meat but increased (P < 0.01) in breast meat by mushroom inclusion. The a* values were decreased (P < 0.01) and b* values were increased (P < 0.05) in both thigh and breast meat with mushroom addition to diet. The obtained results indicated that A. bisporus stalk meal at an inclusion level of 20 g/kg of diet had favourable effects on growth performance with higher feed efficiency, improved intestinal morphology with higher villus height and increased meat quality of broiler chickens.

Foram investigados os efeitos da mistura dietética de Agaricus bisporus ou talo ou tampa sobre o desempenho de crescimento, componentes da carcaça e alguns parâmetros de qualidade da carne, contagens de bactérias aeróbias mesofílicas e histomorfologia intestinal em frangos de corte. Duzentos e quarenta frangos de corte Ross 308 de um dia de idade foram divididos em quatro grupos experimentais com quatro repetições, cada um incluindo 15 aves. Galinhas alimentadas com dieta basal (C), mistura de cogumelos (MM, 10 g caule + 10 g cap / kg de dieta), caule de cogumelo (MS, 20 g / kg dieta) e cogumelo (MC, 20 g / kg dieta). A taxa de conversão alimentar (FCR) foi melhorada (P < 0.01) por MS dietético enquanto o consumo de ração (FI) diminuiu (P < 0.01) em todos os grupos de tratamento em comparação com o controle. No entanto, o ganho de peso corporal (BWG) foi diminuído (P < 0.01) pela inclusão de MC. Os grupos suplementados com cogumelos apresentaram maiores (P < 0.05) bactérias aeróbias mesofílicas no ceco. A inclusão de MS aumentou a proporção entre a largura das vilosidades e a profundidade da cripta no jejuno (P < 0.01) e o comprimento das vilosidades no íleo (P < 0.01) e jejuno (P < 0.05). MC aumentou (P < 0.01) a profundidade de cripta no jejuno. Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos nos componentes da carcaça (P > 0.05). Os valores L * diminuíram (P < 0.01) na carne da coxa, mas aumentaram (P < 0.01) na carne de peito com a inclusão de cogumelos. Os valores de a* diminuíram (P < 0.01) e os valores de b* aumentaram (P < 0.05) em ambas as coxas e peitos pela adição de cogumelos à dieta. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que a farinha de colmo de A. bisporus com um nível de inclusão de 20 g / kg de dieta teve efeitos favoráveis no desempenho do crescimento com maior eficiência alimentar, melhorou a morfologia intestinal com maior comprimento de vilosidade e aumentou a qualidade da carne de frangos de corte.

The Probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum Biocenol CCM 7514 Moderates Campylobacter jejuni-Induced Body Weight Impairment by Improving Gut Morphometry and Regulating Cecal Cytokine Abundance in Broiler Chickens.

This research was conducted to investigate if the administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum could influence body weight, intestinal morphometry and the cecal cytokine response in Campylobacter jejuni-infected chickens. Seventy-two 1-day old COBB 500 male chicks were allocated randomly into four experimental groups. (I) Control group (C), in which chicks were left untreated. (II) LB group, treated with L. fermentum. (III) Cj group, infected with C. jejuni and (IV) coexposure group in which both bacteria were administered. Body weight was registered and then all birds were slaughtered; samples from the small intestine and caecum were collected at 4- and 7-days post infection. The experiment lasted eleven days. Villi height and crypt depth ratios of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were evaluated using appropriate software, while reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was utilized for assessing transcript levels of key cecal inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-18, IL-17, IL-15, IL13 and IL-4). Campylobacter-infected birds showed lower body weight values than those supplemented with the probiotic; these birds, in turn, proved to be heavier than those reared under control conditions. L. fermentum administration improved morphometrical parameters of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum; in general, villi were larger and crypts deeper than those identified in control conditions. Moreover, the negative effects elicited by C. jejuni were not observed in chickens exposed to the probiotic. Significant differences were also determined with regards to transcript abundance of all evaluated cytokines in the caecum. C. jejuni induced a downregulation of the studied interleukins; however, such a response was heightened by administration of L. fermentum, with an increase rate of transcription that promoted a more effective response to a C. jejuni infection. The effects of experimental treatments proved to vary between sampling points. Conclusively, these results demonstrate that L. fermentum lessens the negative effects elicited by C. jejuni on body weight by alleviating the impact on intestinal morphometry and cecal cytokine response, which ultimately improve chicken growth performance.

Dietas suplementadas com óleos essenciais não promove alterações na morfometria de vilos e criptas do duodeno de frangos de corte / Diets supplemented with essential oils do not promote alterations in villous morphometry and duodenum crypt of broilers / Dietas suplementadas con aceites esenciales no promove cambios en morfometría de las vellosidades y criptas del duodeno de pollos de engorda

Devido à necessidade da substituição dos antimicrobianos como melhoradores de desempenho por aditivos alternativos, inúmeros produtos estão em estudo. Dentre esses estão os óleos essenciais que apresentam características antimicrobianas, contribuindo para manutenção da integridade intestinal e consequentemente melhora no desempenho, garantindo a segurança alimentar, evitando a resistência cruzada, bem como a contaminação do meio ambiente. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de uma mistura de óleos essenciais extraídos de orégano, alho, limão, alecrim, timo, eucalipto e laranja doce, na dosagem de 300 mL para 500 L de água de bebida, sobre a morfometria da mucosa do duodeno de frangos de corte. Foram avaliados quatro aviários tratados com óleos essenciais na ração e quatro aviários controle, durante o período de um a sete dias de idade, contendo pintainhos da linhagem Cobb. Para a análise morfométrica, cinco aves de cada aviário (total de 40 aves) foram mortas, utilizando-se de protocolo anestésico, medicação pré-anestésica de xilazina 4mg/Kg IM. e após solução de tiopental na dose de 25 mg/Kg IV. Após eutanásia, foram colhidas amostras de material do intestino delgado, correspondente ao segmento duodenal, para realização das medições de altura de vilo e profundidade de cripta. Não foram verificados efeitos sobre a altura de vilo e profundidade de cripta nos animais tratados com óleos essenciais (P>0,05). Nas condições em que foram realizados o experimento, pode-se concluir que os óleos essenciais não alteraram a altura de vilo e a profundidade de cripta do duodeno.

Due to the need for replacement of antimicrobials as performance enhancers to alternative additives, several products are being studied. Among them, essential oils that exhibit antimicrobial properties are being analyzed, which contribute to the maintenance of intestinal integrity and consequently improving performance, assuring food safety, preventing cross-resistance, as well as contamination of the environment. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of adding a mixture of essential oils from oregano, garlic, lemon, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus and sweet orange, at a dosage of 300 mL for 500 L of drinking water, on the morphometry of duodenal mucosa of broilers. Four poultry aviaries treated with essential oils in the diet and four control poultry aviaries were evaluated during the period from one to seven day old, containing Cobb chicks. For the morphometric analysis, five birds in each aviary (total of 40 birds) were euthanized using anesthetic protocol premedication with xylazine 4mg/kg IM) and after, a solution of thiopental (25 mg /Kg IV). After euthanasia, material samples were collected from the small intestine (duodenum) for measuring villus height and crypt depth. No effects on villus height and crypt depth could be found in the animals treated with essential oils (P> 0:05). Under the experimental conditions, it can be concluded that essential oils did not alter villus height and crypt depth of the duodenum.

Debido a la necesidad de reemplazo de antimicrobianos como mejoradores de desempeño por aditivos alternativos, innúmeros productos están siendo estudiados. Entre esos están los aceites esenciales que presentan características antimicrobianas, lo que contribuye al mantenimiento de la integridad intestinal y por consiguiente mejora el rendimiento, por garantizar la seguridad alimentaria, evitando resistencia cruzada, así como la contaminación del medio ambiente. Por lo tanto, el objetivo ha sido evaluar los efectos de la adición de una mezcla de aceites esenciales extraídos del orégano, ajo, limón, romero, tomillo, eucalipto y naranja dulce, a una dosis de 300 ml para 500 litros de agua potable, sobre la morfometría de la mucosa duodenal de pollos de engorde. Se han evaluado cuatro aviarios tratados con aceites esenciales en el pienso y cuatro aviarios control, durante el período de uno a siete días de edad, conteniendo pollitos Cobb. Para el análisis morfométrico, cinco aves de cada aviario (total de 40 aves) fueron sacrificadas, utilizándose de protocolo anestésico, medicación pre anestésica de xilazina 4 mg /Kg IM., y después tiopental solución a una dosis de 25 mg /Kg IV. Después de la eutanasia, se ha recogido muestras de material del intestino delgado, que corresponde al segmento duodenal, para llevar a cabo las mediciones de la altura de las vellosidades y profundidad de la cripta. No se ha verificado efectos sobre la altura de las vellosidades y la profundidad de la cripta en los animales tratados con aceites esenciales (P> 0,05). En las condiciones en que se han realizado el experimento, se puede concluir que los aceites esenciales no alteraron la altura de las vellosidades y la profundidad de la cripta del duodeno.

Dietas suplementadas com óleos essenciais não promove alterações na morfometria de vilos e criptas do duodeno de frangos de corte / Diets supplemented with essential oils do not promote alterations in villous morphometry and duodenum crypt of broilers / Dietas suplementadas con aceites esenciales no promove cambios en morfometría de las vellosidades y criptas del duodeno de pollos de engorda

Devido à necessidade da substituição dos antimicrobianos como melhoradores de desempenho por aditivos alternativos, inúmeros produtos estão em estudo. Dentre esses estão os óleos essenciais que apresentam características antimicrobianas, contribuindo para manutenção da integridade intestinal e consequentemente melhora no desempenho, garantindo a segurança alimentar, evitando a resistência cruzada, bem como a contaminação do meio ambiente. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de uma mistura de óleos essenciais extraídos de orégano, alho, limão, alecrim, timo, eucalipto e laranja doce, na dosagem de 300 mL para 500 L de água de bebida, sobre a morfometria da mucosa do duodeno de frangos de corte. Foram avaliados quatro aviários tratados com óleos essenciais na ração e quatro aviários controle, durante o período de um a sete dias de idade, contendo pintainhos da linhagem Cobb. Para a análise morfométrica, cinco aves de cada aviário (total de 40 aves) foram mortas, utilizando-se de protocolo anestésico, medicação pré-anestésica de xilazina 4mg/Kg IM. e após solução de tiopental na dose de 25 mg/Kg IV. Após eutanásia, foram colhidas amostras de material do intestino delgado, correspondente ao segmento duodenal, para realização das medições de altura de vilo e profundidade de cripta. Não foram verificados efeitos sobre a altura de vilo e profundidade de cripta nos animais tratados com óleos essenciais (P>0,05). Nas condições em que foram realizados o experimento, pode-se concluir que os óleos essenciais não alteraram a altura de vilo e a profundidade de cripta do duodeno.(AU)

Due to the need for replacement of antimicrobials as performance enhancers to alternative additives, several products are being studied. Among them, essential oils that exhibit antimicrobial properties are being analyzed, which contribute to the maintenance of intestinal integrity and consequently improving performance, assuring food safety, preventing cross-resistance, as well as contamination of the environment. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of adding a mixture of essential oils from oregano, garlic, lemon, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus and sweet orange, at a dosage of 300 mL for 500 L of drinking water, on the morphometry of duodenal mucosa of broilers. Four poultry aviaries treated with essential oils in the diet and four control poultry aviaries were evaluated during the period from one to seven day old, containing Cobb chicks. For the morphometric analysis, five birds in each aviary (total of 40 birds) were euthanized using anesthetic protocol premedication with xylazine 4mg/kg IM) and after, a solution of thiopental (25 mg /Kg IV). After euthanasia, material samples were collected from the small intestine (duodenum) for measuring villus height and crypt depth. No effects on villus height and crypt depth could be found in the animals treated with essential oils (P> 0:05). Under the experimental conditions, it can be concluded that essential oils did not alter villus height and crypt depth of the duodenum.(AU)

Debido a la necesidad de reemplazo de antimicrobianos como mejoradores de desempeño por aditivos alternativos, innúmeros productos están siendo estudiados. Entre esos están los aceites esenciales que presentan características antimicrobianas, lo que contribuye al mantenimiento de la integridad intestinal y por consiguiente mejora el rendimiento, por garantizar la seguridad alimentaria, evitando resistencia cruzada, así como la contaminación del medio ambiente. Por lo tanto, el objetivo ha sido evaluar los efectos de la adición de una mezcla de aceites esenciales extraídos del orégano, ajo, limón, romero, tomillo, eucalipto y naranja dulce, a una dosis de 300 ml para 500 litros de agua potable, sobre la morfometría de la mucosa duodenal de pollos de engorde. Se han evaluado cuatro aviarios tratados con aceites esenciales en el pienso y cuatro aviarios control, durante el período de uno a siete días de edad, conteniendo pollitos Cobb. Para el análisis morfométrico, cinco aves de cada aviario (total de 40 aves) fueron sacrificadas, utilizándose de protocolo anestésico, medicación pre anestésica de xilazina 4 mg /Kg IM., y después tiopental solución a una dosis de 25 mg /Kg IV. Después de la eutanasia, se ha recogido muestras de material del intestino delgado, que corresponde al segmento duodenal, para llevar a cabo las mediciones de la altura de las vellosidades y profundidad de la cripta. No se ha verificado efectos sobre la altura de las vellosidades y la profundidad de la cripta en los animales tratados con aceites esenciales (P> 0,05). En las condiciones en que se han realizado el experimento, se puede concluir que los aceites esenciales no alteraron la altura de las vellosidades y la profundidad de la cripta del duodeno.(AU)

Performance and morphometry of the intestinal mucosa of laying hens fed diets containing xylanase

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary energy level reduction and xylanase inclusion on the performance and on intestinal mucosa morphometry of two- to six-week-old laying hens. In total, 400 Hy-line W36 laying hens were distributed according to a completely randomized design in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (energy level x inclusion of xylanase), totaling four treatments with 10 replicates of 10 birds per experimental unit. The following treatments were evaluated: positive control (balanced diet); positive control + xylanase; negative control (diet with of 100 kcal ME reduction /kg); negative control + xylanase. Body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, uniformity and livability were not influenced by diets with metabolizable energy reduction and xylanase inclusion; however, the addition of xylanase to the diets resulted in shallower crypts depth and greater villus:crypt ratio in the ileum. The energy reduction of the diet associated with the supplementation of xylanase did not influence performance, but increased the feed intake of 2- to 6-week-old laying hens and increased villus height in the ileum of 6-wk-old hens. Xylanase reduces crypt depth in the ileum of 6-week-old hens.(AU)

Influence of breeder age on biometrics organ and morphology of the mucosa of the small intestine of chicks hatching / Influência da idade da matriz sobre a biometria de órgãos e a morfometria da mucosa do intestino delgado dos pintos à eclosão

The objective of the conducted experiment was the evaluation of effect of multiple age breeders on the organs biometry and the intestinal morphometry of chicks at hatching. There were incubated 200 eggs provided from Ross 308 breeders at the ages of 32, 40, 48, 56 and 64 weeks. At hatching, 20 chicks of each breeder age were individually weighted and sacrificed in order to evaluate breast, cloacal bursa, yolk sack and small intestine weight, besides the small intestine length. The duodenum portion was collected in order to measure the villus height and the crypt depth. There were a positive linear effect of the breeder age (p 0,05) on the live weight, absolute and relative yolk sack weight, cloacal bursa absolute weight and breast absolute and relative weight. For the absolute and relative small intestine weight it was observed a quadratic effect of the breeder age (p 0,05), in which the best intestine development was in chicks from breeders between 40 and 50 weeks of age. The chick weight has a positive correlation with the weight of the yolk sac, cloacal bursa and breast (p 0,05). For the villus and crypt it was obtained a significant effect of the breeders age (p 0,05) on the crypt depth, whose linear behavior was decreasing and inverse to the breeders age. The villus:crypt relation showed a linear increasing behavior (p 0,05) according to the breeders age. It's concluded that the breeder age hasinfluence on the organ biometry and on the small intestine mucosal morphometry of chicks at hatching.Key words: Villus height, organ weights, broiler, yolk sac.(AU)

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes idades de matrizes sobre abiometria de órgãos e a morfometria intestinal de pintos de corte à eclosão. Foram incubados 200 ovosprovenientes de matrizes pesadas da linhagem comercial Ross 308, com as idades de 32, 40, 48, 56 e 64semanas. À eclosão 20 pintinhos de cada idade de matriz foram pesados individualmente e sacrificadospara avaliação do peso do peito, bolsa cloacal, saco da gema e intestino delgado e do comprimentodo intestino delgado. O segmento do duodeno foi coletado para mensuração da altura de vilo e daprofundidade de cripta. Houve efeito linear positivo da idade da matriz (p<0,05) sobre o peso vivo,peso absoluto e relativo do saco da gema, peso absoluto da bolsa cloacal e peso absoluto e relativo dopeito. Para o peso absoluto, peso relativo do intestino delgado observou-se efeito quadrático da idadeda matriz (p<0,05), sendo o melhor desenvolvimento do intestino em pintos provenientes de matrizesentre 40 e 50 semanas. O peso do pinto apresentou correlação positiva com o peso do saco da gema,bolsa cloacal e peito (p<0,05). Para vilo e cripta obteve-se um efeito significativo da idade das matrizes(p<0,05) sobre a profundidade das criptas, cujo comportamento foi linear decrescente e inverso à idadedas matrizes enquanto a relação vilo:cripta, apresentou comportamento linear crescente (p<0,05) deacordo com a idade das matrizes. Conclui-se que a idade da matriz tem influência na biometria dosórgãos e na morfometria da mucosa do intestino delgado de pintos de corte à eclosão.(AU)

Influence of breeder age on biometrics organ and morphology of the mucosa of the small intestine of chicks hatching / Influência da idade da matriz sobre a biometria de órgãos e a morfometria da mucosa do intestino delgado dos pintos à eclosão

The objective of the conducted experiment was the evaluation of effect of multiple age breeders on the organs biometry and the intestinal morphometry of chicks at hatching. There were incubated 200 eggs provided from Ross 308 breeders at the ages of 32, 40, 48, 56 and 64 weeks. At hatching, 20 chicks of each breeder age were individually weighted and sacrificed in order to evaluate breast, cloacal bursa, yolk sack and small intestine weight, besides the small intestine length. The duodenum portion was collected in order to measure the villus height and the crypt depth. There were a positive linear effect of the breeder age (p 0,05) on the live weight, absolute and relative yolk sack weight, cloacal bursa absolute weight and breast absolute and relative weight. For the absolute and relative small intestine weight it was observed a quadratic effect of the breeder age (p 0,05), in which the best intestine development was in chicks from breeders between 40 and 50 weeks of age. The chick weight has a positive correlation with the weight of the yolk sac, cloacal bursa and breast (p 0,05). For the villus and crypt it was obtained a significant effect of the breeders age (p 0,05) on the crypt depth, whose linear behavior was decreasing and inverse to the breeders age. The villus:crypt relation showed a linear increasing behavior (p 0,05) according to the breeders age. It's concluded that the breeder age hasinfluence on the organ biometry and on the small intestine mucosal morphometry of chicks at hatching.Key words: Villus height, organ weights, broiler, yolk sac.

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes idades de matrizes sobre abiometria de órgãos e a morfometria intestinal de pintos de corte à eclosão. Foram incubados 200 ovosprovenientes de matrizes pesadas da linhagem comercial Ross 308, com as idades de 32, 40, 48, 56 e 64semanas. À eclosão 20 pintinhos de cada idade de matriz foram pesados individualmente e sacrificadospara avaliação do peso do peito, bolsa cloacal, saco da gema e intestino delgado e do comprimentodo intestino delgado. O segmento do duodeno foi coletado para mensuração da altura de vilo e daprofundidade de cripta. Houve efeito linear positivo da idade da matriz (p<0,05) sobre o peso vivo,peso absoluto e relativo do saco da gema, peso absoluto da bolsa cloacal e peso absoluto e relativo dopeito. Para o peso absoluto, peso relativo do intestino delgado observou-se efeito quadrático da idadeda matriz (p<0,05), sendo o melhor desenvolvimento do intestino em pintos provenientes de matrizesentre 40 e 50 semanas. O peso do pinto apresentou correlação positiva com o peso do saco da gema,bolsa cloacal e peito (p<0,05). Para vilo e cripta obteve-se um efeito significativo da idade das matrizes(p<0,05) sobre a profundidade das criptas, cujo comportamento foi linear decrescente e inverso à idadedas matrizes enquanto a relação vilo:cripta, apresentou comportamento linear crescente (p<0,05) deacordo com a idade das matrizes. Conclui-se que a idade da matriz tem influência na biometria dosórgãos e na morfometria da mucosa do intestino delgado de pintos de corte à eclosão.

Performance and morphometry of the intestinal mucosa of laying hens fed diets containing xylanase

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary energy level reduction and xylanase inclusion on the performance and on intestinal mucosa morphometry of two- to six-week-old laying hens. In total, 400 Hy-line W36 laying hens were distributed according to a completely randomized design in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (energy level x inclusion of xylanase), totaling four treatments with 10 replicates of 10 birds per experimental unit. The following treatments were evaluated: positive control (balanced diet); positive control + xylanase; negative control (diet with of 100 kcal ME reduction /kg); negative control + xylanase. Body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, uniformity and livability were not influenced by diets with metabolizable energy reduction and xylanase inclusion; however, the addition of xylanase to the diets resulted in shallower crypts depth and greater villus:crypt ratio in the ileum. The energy reduction of the diet associated with the supplementation of xylanase did not influence performance, but increased the feed intake of 2- to 6-week-old laying hens and increased villus height in the ileum of 6-wk-old hens. Xylanase reduces crypt depth in the ileum of 6-week-old hens.

Performance and morphometry of the intestinal mucosa of laying hens fed diets containing xylanase

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary energy level reduction and xylanase inclusion on the performance and on intestinal mucosa morphometry of two- to six-week-old laying hens. In total, 400 Hy-line W36 laying hens were distributed according to a completely randomized design in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (energy level x inclusion of xylanase), totaling four treatments with 10 replicates of 10 birds per experimental unit. The following treatments were evaluated: positive control (balanced diet); positive control + xylanase; negative control (diet with of 100 kcal ME reduction /kg); negative control + xylanase. Body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, uniformity and livability were not influenced by diets with metabolizable energy reduction and xylanase inclusion; however, the addition of xylanase to the diets resulted in shallower crypts depth and greater villus:crypt ratio in the ileum. The energy reduction of the diet associated with the supplementation of xylanase did not influence performance, but increased the feed intake of 2- to 6-week-old laying hens and increased villus height in the ileum of 6-wk-old hens. Xylanase reduces crypt depth in the ileum of 6-week-old hens.

Performance and morphometry of the intestinal mucosa of laying hens fed diets containing xylanase

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary energy level reduction and xylanase inclusion on the performance and on intestinal mucosa morphometry of two- to six-week-old laying hens. In total, 400 Hy-line W36 laying hens were distributed according to a completely randomized design in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (energy level x inclusion of xylanase), totaling four treatments with 10 replicates of 10 birds per experimental unit. The following treatments were evaluated: positive control (balanced diet); positive control + xylanase; negative control (diet with of 100 kcal ME reduction /kg); negative control + xylanase. Body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, uniformity and livability were not influenced by diets with metabolizable energy reduction and xylanase inclusion; however, the addition of xylanase to the diets resulted in shallower crypts depth and greater villus:crypt ratio in the ileum. The energy reduction of the diet associated with the supplementation of xylanase did not influence performance, but increased the feed intake of 2- to 6-week-old laying hens and increased villus height in the ileum of 6-wk-old hens. Xylanase reduces crypt depth in the ileum of 6-week-old hens.

Intestinal mucosa development in broiler chickens fed natural growth promoters

This study evaluated the use of probiotics and prebiotics on the histological and morphological indexes of the intestinal mucosa of broilers at 21 days of age. Thirty-six birds were randomly distributed in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, considering 3 probiotics and prebiotics sources in the diet. There were 9 treatments with 4 repetitions. Diet treatments were: 1 - Control (without growth promoters); 2 - Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic (Pro 1); 3 - Probiotic (Pool) based on Lactobacillus acidophilus and casei, Streptococcus lactis and faecium, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Aspergillus oryzae (Pro 2); 4 - Prebiotic based on Phosphorylated Mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) and Organic Acidifier (OA) (Pre 1); 5 - MOS-based prebiotic (Pre 2); 6 - Pro 1 + Pre 1; 7 - Pro 1 + Pre 2; 8 - Pro 2 + Pre 1; 9 - Pro 2 + Pre 2. Higher villus height (VH) (p 0.01) were seen in the duodenum of birds fed diets without prebiotics, whereas birds fed Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic and birds fed prebiotic based on MOS and OA showed higher VH (p 0.01) in jejunum and ileum. Greater crypt depths (CD) (p 0.01) were observed in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of birds receiving B. subtilis, and in the duodenum and jejunum of birds fed diets without prebiotics. Significant interaction (p 0.01) between the evaluated factors was seen for both, VH and CD, in the three intestinal portions. Greater VH was obtained in duodenum, jejunum and ileum with the use of probiotics and prebiotics and greater CD with the use of probiotics, in relation to the control group. There was no difference in villus density (VD) between birds fed diets without additives or diets containing probiotics and prebiotics. Nevertheless, there was a significant interaction (p 0.05) between the evaluated factors for VD in the duodenum. Concluding, beneficial effects were seen in histological indexes of the intestinal mucosa with the use of probiotics and prebiotics at 21 days of age.

Intestinal mucosa development in broiler chickens fed natural growth promoters

This study evaluated the use of probiotics and prebiotics on the histological and morphological indexes of the intestinal mucosa of broilers at 21 days of age. Thirty-six birds were randomly distributed in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, considering 3 probiotics and prebiotics sources in the diet. There were 9 treatments with 4 repetitions. Diet treatments were: 1 - Control (without growth promoters); 2 - Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic (Pro 1); 3 - Probiotic (Pool) based on Lactobacillus acidophilus and casei, Streptococcus lactis and faecium, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Aspergillus oryzae (Pro 2); 4 - Prebiotic based on Phosphorylated Mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) and Organic Acidifier (OA) (Pre 1); 5 - MOS-based prebiotic (Pre 2); 6 - Pro 1 + Pre 1; 7 - Pro 1 + Pre 2; 8 - Pro 2 + Pre 1; 9 - Pro 2 + Pre 2. Higher villus height (VH) (p 0.01) were seen in the duodenum of birds fed diets without prebiotics, whereas birds fed Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic and birds fed prebiotic based on MOS and OA showed higher VH (p 0.01) in jejunum and ileum. Greater crypt depths (CD) (p 0.01) were observed in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of birds receiving B. subtilis, and in the duodenum and jejunum of birds fed diets without prebiotics. Significant interaction (p 0.01) between the evaluated factors was seen for both, VH and CD, in the three intestinal portions. Greater VH was obtained in duodenum, jejunum and ileum with the use of probiotics and prebiotics and greater CD with the use of probiotics, in relation to the control group. There was no difference in villus density (VD) between birds fed diets without additives or diets containing probiotics and prebiotics. Nevertheless, there was a significant interaction (p 0.05) between the evaluated factors for VD in the duodenum. Concluding, beneficial effects were seen in histological indexes of the intestinal mucosa with the use of probiotics and prebiotics at 21 days of age.

Effects of corn particle size and physical form of the diet on the gastrointestinal structures of broiler chickens

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of different particle sizes, expressed as Geometric Mean Diameter (GMD) of corn (0.336mm, 0.585mm, 0.856mm and 1.12mm) of mash and pelleted broiler chicken diets on the weight of the gizzard, duodenum and jejunum+ileum; on the pH of the gizzard and small intestine and on the characteristics of the duodenal mucous layer (number and height of villi and crypt depth) in 42-day-old broilers. The physical form and the particle size of the diet had no significant effect on gizzard and intestine pH (p > 0.05). A greater gizzard weight was seen in the birds receiving pelleted diet and particle size of 0.336mm (p 0.008). However, for the particle sizes of 0.856 and 1.12 mm, a greater weight was found in birds that received mash diet (p 0.039 and p 0.006, respectively). Also, gizzard weight was greater with increasing corn GMD independent of the physical form of the diet. In the mash diet, the increase in particle size promoted a quadratic response in the weight of duodenum and jejunum + ileum. The pelleted diet promoted a greater number of villi per transverse duodenum cut (p 0.007) and greater crypt depth (p 0.05). As the particle size increased, there was a linear increase of villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum, irrespective of the physical form of the diet.

Effects of corn particle size and physical form of the diet on the gastrointestinal structures of broiler chickens

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of different particle sizes, expressed as Geometric Mean Diameter (GMD) of corn (0.336mm, 0.585mm, 0.856mm and 1.12mm) of mash and pelleted broiler chicken diets on the weight of the gizzard, duodenum and jejunum+ileum; on the pH of the gizzard and small intestine and on the characteristics of the duodenal mucous layer (number and height of villi and crypt depth) in 42-day-old broilers. The physical form and the particle size of the diet had no significant effect on gizzard and intestine pH (p > 0.05). A greater gizzard weight was seen in the birds receiving pelleted diet and particle size of 0.336mm (p 0.008). However, for the particle sizes of 0.856 and 1.12 mm, a greater weight was found in birds that received mash diet (p 0.039 and p 0.006, respectively). Also, gizzard weight was greater with increasing corn GMD independent of the physical form of the diet. In the mash diet, the increase in particle size promoted a quadratic response in the weight of duodenum and jejunum + ileum. The pelleted diet promoted a greater number of villi per transverse duodenum cut (p 0.007) and greater crypt depth (p 0.05). As the particle size increased, there was a linear increase of villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum, irrespective of the physical form of the diet.